Compare towns

Springfield vs Acton vs Bradford

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Springfield has the most expensive homes ($384k median).
Acton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.2%).
Bradford has the most kids (21.4% under 18).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureSpringfieldActonBradford
People
Population
1,122Lowest
2,721Highest
1,565
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+9.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+0.7%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
51.4±8.8
32% above U.S.
52.9±4.2Highest
36% above U.S.
50.3±5.2Lowest
29% above U.S.
Acton and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.1%±8
U.S.: 22%
13.1%±4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.4%±4.2Highest
U.S.: 22%
Bradford and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.8%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
26.2%±4.9
U.S.: 17.2%
26.3%±3.5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bradford and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
36.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
24.2%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
37.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0%±1.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.6%±2.3Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.9%±1.2
U.S.: 6.4%
Acton and Bradford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$100,893±$19k
25% above U.S.
$78,750±$15kLowest
about the U.S. average
$108,015±$21kHighest
34% above U.S.
Bradford and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$384,100±$50kHighest
15% above U.S.
$334,300±$34kLowest
about the U.S. average
$341,700±$38k
about the U.S. average
Springfield and Bradford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,096±$217Lowest
22% below U.S.
—
$1,507±$206Highest
7% above U.S.
Bradford and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,946
91% above U.S.
$2,680Lowest
14% below U.S.
$6,307Highest
102% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
25.9%±64.8Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
100%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
41.1%±22.4
U.S.: 51.1%
Acton and Bradford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
9.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
96.1%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
85.4%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1985Highest
5 yrs newer than U.S.
1974
6 yrs older than U.S.
1972Lowest
8 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 min
30% above U.S.
40 minHighest
53% above U.S.
32 minLowest
21% above U.S.
Work from home
16.7%±11.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
18.2%±8.5
U.S.: 15.1%
18.6%±8Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Bradford and Acton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading — #43 of 133 in ME —
School district — Acton Public Schools Kearsarge Regional School District
High school in town — None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.